Cambios fisiológicos durante el envejecimiento del sistema reproductor masculino

The advances in the medical research have provided a greater life expectancy as much in men and women, and consequently it has brought a better understanding of the physiological and degenerative basis for the aging process. Recently, interest has been gained in this field, particularly in elderly men. There are too many alterations in different organs and systems as a result of the ageing process and great part of these are consequence of the experienced changes in the male reproductive system. All the described alterations involve changes that can occur at any level of the hypothalamic-hypophysis gonadal axis. Nevertheless, it is the testicle which displays the greatest degenerative changes resulting in structural alterations, deficient hormonal production, semen quality and sexual function. On the other hand, the penis also experiences changes related to the erectile function, that beyond being a consequence of associated co-morbidities and relative hormonal deficiency, it is also the result of its own degenerative process due to aging.